BETA: Quest Data + Deck ranking files 04-26-09

[Chris H.]

I have reached a point where I feel that I can release the newest version of the questData.txt file. This file should be usable by any version of MTG Forge that contains the quest mode. This file now contains a total of 51 decks to face as your opponents as you journey forth on your quest.

The deck listing:

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Abraham Lincoln   =   AI-Angels-Hammer   hard
Albert Einstein   =   AI-Garruk-PanWolf   hard
Batman   =   AI-Exalted-Unblckble   hard
Blackbeard   =   AI-ww-Soldiers   hard
Boba Fett   =   AI-DragonRoost-Fire   hard
Buffy I   =   Vampire + Wither   easy
Buffy II   =   Vampire + Wither   medium
Buffy III   =   Vampire + Wither   hard
C3PO   =   AI-GobBog   hard
Catwoman 1   =   Cats made weaker   easy
Catwoman 2   =   Cats made stronger   medium
Comic Book Guy   =   AI-Mt-Dragon   hard
Cyclops   =   Sally   hard
Darth Vader   =   Gando's version -> battle of wits   hard
Data   =   Korlash's Destiny - major changes   hard
Frodo   =   AI-White-Weenie-v2   hard
Genghis Khan 1   =   AI-Animas-Armageddon - easiest   easy
Genghis Khan 2   =   AI-Animas-Armageddon - medium   medium
Genghis Khan 3   =   AI-Animas-Armageddon - hardest   hard
Green Lantern   =   AI-Nicol-Bolis   hard
Han Solo   =   AI-Chanters   hard
Iceman   =   AI-Bounce-Control   hard
Jabba the Hut   =   AI-Exalted-Walkers   hard
James T Kirk   =   Rares -> black discard   hard
King Edward I   =   a weaker Little Ellie   easy
King Edward II   =   Little Ellie   medium
King Edward III   =   Ellie   hard
Luke Skywalker   =   AI-Green-Weenie   hard
Magneto   =   Vengence Ltd   hard
Morpheus   =   AI-Elf-Pump-Mod   hard
Napoleon   =   AI-Enchanted-Wall   hard
Neo   =   AI-Ball-Breaker   hard
Newton   =   AI-Aluran-Rats-CH   hard
Picard   =   AI-Elf-Pump-UWG   hard
Pinky and the Brain   =   AI-Assassins-Dagger   hard
Professor X   =   AI-Artifact-Armada   hard
R2-D2   =   AI-Black-Vise   hard
Rogue   =   Burning Dragons   hard
Scotty   =   Yo Yo   medium
Silver Surfer   =   AI-GreenBeats   hard
Spiderman   =   AI-White-Weenie   medium
Spock   =   Rares -> elf singleton   medium
Storm 1   =   Lucy Rainbow - easiest   easy
Storm 2   =   Lucy Rainbow - medium   medium
Storm 3   =   Lucy Rainbow - hardest   hard
Superman   =   AI-Repulse-Control   hard
Tarzan I   =   Tarzan   easy
Tarzan II   =   Tarzan with Silverback Ape   medium
Terminator   =   Machines Mind   hard
Uncle Owen   =   AI-Kill-and-Control - weaker?   hard
Wolverine   =   AI-Kodamas-Nightmare   hard

There is a second archive attached below, and this archive contains the 3 questDecks-{easy/medium/hard}.txt files that in turn provide the deck rankings. The questDecks-{easy/medium/hard}.txt files files can only be used with Rares beta version at this time. You can find this version of Forge at:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/g4bjwmtnmny/beta-forge.zip


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[GandoTheBard]

So far Ive played 7 matches against the quest decks you included here (7-0) all but 1 were easy. The one I had difficulty with I was severely manahosed 2 out of 3 games (1 I drew nothing but lands and 1 creature.) Of course I used the Cube set I developed which is a very easy way to play Quest mode, as all the cards are good. Not having to squish 3 colors together to have a semidecent deck makes a huge difference. Particularly when you know you have a bomb or 2 and maybe several answers instead of just 1 if that. By match 7 with +7x10 cards + a random rare the deck building becomes harder because of what you have to leave out (currently Im using a monored pinger/direct damage deck)

[Chris H.]

Gando, are you playing with land stacking set to on or to off?

[Chris H.]

I have reached a point where I feel that I can release the newest version of the questData.txt file.

I see that I screwed the Storm 1 deck's mana base. I fixed it and here is the new and improved version:


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[GandoTheBard]

Gando, are you playing with land stacking set to on or to off?

I've been playing with stacking off lately as the constructed decks certainly don't need it. Draft decks for the AI and probably some of the constructed generated decks with no cohesive plan need it certainly but the quest decks are tuned to be well manafixed to begin with. the Land Stacking is a harsh advantage imho. Particularly when 75% of the time YOUR lands come either too often or not often enough. Rarely do I have a game with Forge where I say "Gee I got enough lands for what I needed and no more." Which is ok because we expect mana screw irl. It's a part of the game. I consider the landstacking to add an extra difficulty level...might as well give the computer 8 cards max hand size and 40 life.

[Chris H.]

I meant to play my last quest with land stacking set to off. I forgot to change the default setting most of the games.

My current quest, with land stacking off, is interesting. With the easier decks to start with I find that I win often enough to make the game interesting.

The bugs that I reported in reference to the first match was interesting and somewhat strange. I will get back to the team about this quest once I have reached the end.

[Mr.Chaos]

Land stacking effects questmode? Why didn´t I know that?
That should actually give me a chance to win my first round game, because so far, I have lost that first quest match with no chance what so ever.
I also seem to have the uncanny skill of picking the hardest decks to play for my first match.
Really hoping this will help me win as I was about to quit the whole quest thing.

So if I get this right, I have to download a new version of the game to get the quest decks stacked to easy-medium-hard?
OK, but it is getting hard to keep up with what is the latest release. Either officially or beta.

[Chris H.]

Land stacking effects questmode? Why didn´t I know that?
That should actually give me a chance to win my first round game, because so far, I have lost that first quest match with no chance what so ever.
I also seem to have the uncanny skill of picking the hardest decks to play for my first match.
Really hoping this will help me win as I was about to quit the whole quest thing.

So if I get this right, I have to download a new version of the game to get the quest decks stacked to easy-medium-hard?
OK, but it is getting hard to keep up with what is the latest release. Either officially or beta.

Turning off the land stacking check box combined with the beta forge version with the easy - medium - hard deck ranking should help you. I admit, at this time it is a wee bit complicated to keep up with it all.

It is worth the effort. We need your input as we attempt to further the development of the quest mode.

You need to download Rares beta version of the 04-22 MTG application and the two archives that I attached at the start of this topic. Combine this with Gando's rarities that are included in his cube list and you should be good to go.

[Chris H.]

I played the first 8 matches in the easiest quest mode. The first 5 games were against the easy opponent decks and the following 3 matches were against the medium opponent decks. The 9th match is listing hard opponent decks.

I lost the first match, two of the three games resulted in the game hanging and I had to concede. I won the other 7 matches.

I played with the land stacking option set to off. The computer was mana hosed on some of the games. Overall, I had fun and I felt challenged to a point. The computer AI decks felt like they were slower. I had hoped that they would at least win one or two of the matches. I may re-add the mox to the easy + medium decks and reduce the number of expensive mana artifacts.

I saved the questData file with my card pool and the first deck that I created. I may go back and try replaying the first 8 matches. This time I will play with the land stacking flag set to on.

BTW, I used the original rarity files which include all of the cards and is not play balanced. My card pool was OK. I had some nice cards. My biggest complaint with the starting card pool is that it does not include enough spells.

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40 Total Cards

21 Creatures
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1x Barkhide Mauler
1x Blade of the Sixth Pride
1x Carnassid
1x Emerald Dragonfly
1x Glory Seeker
1x Honor Guard
1x Indomitable Ancients
1x Jamuraan Lion
1x Kabuto Moth
1x Knight Errant
1x Krosan Colossus
1x Odious Trow
1x Pygmy Razorback
1x Squire
1x Standing Troops
1x Stern Judge
1x Titanic Bulvox
1x Voice of Grace
1x Willow Elf
1x Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers
1x Zodiac Ox

2 Spells
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1x Font of Mythos
1x Raise the Alarm

17 Land
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9x Forest
8x Plains

[GandoTheBard]

Not a bad card pool but Id take out cards like Squire, Honor Guard etc for fliers if you can find them. Your deck looks very vulnerable to spot and mass removal. If your opponent briberies your best creatures you are done. On the other hand since it is mostly small creatures you will probably be ok if you get a decent draw and play aggro.

[Chris H.]

Not a bad card pool but Id take out cards like Squire, Honor Guard etc for fliers if you can find them. Your deck looks very vulnerable to spot and mass removal. If your opponent briberies your best creatures you are done. On the other hand since it is mostly small creatures you will probably be ok if you get a decent draw and play aggro.

I agree. That is the deck that I used in my first match. As I gained booster packs I occasionally found a spell in white that was better than some of the creatures. I pretty much out raced the computer, it was not to hard with the land staking set to off.

I made sure to save the questData file with the starting pool of cards before I played any matches. I'm now in the process of replaying the first 8 matches with the land stacking flag set to on.

[GandoTheBard]

Not a bad card pool but Id take out cards like Squire, Honor Guard etc for fliers if you can find them. Your deck looks very vulnerable to spot and mass removal. If your opponent briberies your best creatures you are done. On the other hand since it is mostly small creatures you will probably be ok if you get a decent draw and play aggro.

I agree. That is the deck that I used in my first match. As I gained booster packs I occasionally found a spell in white that was better than some of the creatures. I pretty much out raced the computer, it was not to hard with the land staking set to off.

I made sure to save the questData file with the starting pool of cards before I played any matches. I'm now in the process of replaying the first 8 matches with the land stacking flag set to on.

As I said in the cube set thread that set isn't good for this mode but my balanced play set is. I think you'd find a more even distribution creature:noncreature using that set. It is clear to me that the Land Stacking feature while key for giving the AI a leg up in limited modes is simple a foul disadvantage in Quest mode and should remain off. On the other hand for those who feel that Very Hard isn't challenging enough playing it with the stacking on does give an extra bonus to the difficulty.

[Chris H.]

Am I having more fun facing the easier decks?

I replayed the beta quest using the same card pool as the last quest. This time I played with the land stacking set to on and I still won the first seven games. I stopped here since the listing of opponent decks that I was facing advanced to the hard level.

I think that these easier decks may be more fun to play against. So far, the only time I have lost was due to my needing to concede the game due to the computer is thinking bug.

I feel that these easier decks are challenging me. My wins have not been a total cake walk. I think that I may be having a good time.

I am curious and would like to know if anyone else is having a similar experience against this new pool of weaker opponent decks.

BTW:

My starting pool of cards includes just a few spells. This forces me to put together a deck with no more than one or two spells. My boosters on occasion include a spell. We might have more fun if the starting pool and boosters included a few more spells.

[mtgrares]

Thanks for the effort. Having 51 AI decks is great. I'll post my thoughts after I get a chance to use it for a few days.

[GandoTheBard]

I think it might be worth it to make a cube set for Quest mode that is less robust than the one I made...so that it is still a struggle but that the decks you can build at start will have some spells.